Washington, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, released the following statement in reaction to the historic Senate vote to limit presidential war powers in Yemen:

“This powerful vote, the Trump Administration’s disgraceful coverup for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman—most recently by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo before the House today—and the daily deaths of more and more Yemeni children all demand action by the House. The Senate rejected the Administration’s claim that its activities in Yemen are not subject to the War Powers Act: The House must do the same. Even if he remains committed to being a Trump apologist, Speaker Ryan should complete his tenure by following the example of Senate Republicans to reverse course and permit a full and fair debate on similar resolutions next week.”

And yesterday, as Republicans hid the provision to end House debate within a rule on the Farm Bill, Rep. Doggett gave a speech which you can watch here, with a short excerpt below:

“What cruel irony—that this rule dealing, in part, with too much food in America may starve millions in Yemen. This rule today prohibits a fair debate and vote here, because Republican leaders know that so many members of both parties can no longer stomach the atrocities—atrocities that are supported by American tax dollars.

They fear that a bipartisan majority of this House would reject what has become a wretched stain on our Nation. Last month, this same Trump enablers buried consideration of our resolution with a bill about gray wolves. Today, they bury Yemenis with a bill about American agricultural abundance. As Americans celebrate a joyous Christmas, the Trump Administration will continue writing the epitaph for the mass graves in Yemen. Let’s reject this rule today and put a stop to this egregious wrongdoing.”